Evermore
A Salvation Series Novella
By Corinne Michaels
1001 Dark Nights
Evermore
A Salvation Series Novella
By Corinne Michaels
1001 Dark Nights
Copyright 2019 Corinne Michaels
ISBN: 978-1-948050-91-3
Foreword: Copyright 2014 M. J. Rose
Published by Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or establishments is solely coincidental.
Book Description
Evermore
A Salvation Series
By Corinne Michaels
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Corinne Michaels comes a new story in her Salvation series…
I was poised to become partner at my law firm even before I became secretly engaged to my boss. After being humiliated by him on my wedding day, I can’t face working for him any longer. So I quit, waving my middle finger on my way out.
Now the only things I’m poised for are unemployment and loneliness.
When an opportunity with Cole Security arises, it seems like the perfect way to run, all the way to Virginia Beach. I wasn’t expecting my childhood sweetheart to be there. I definitely wasn’t prepared that when we saw each other again, Benjamin Pryce would be so grown-up. So gorgeous. So Navy SEAL-ish.
And still the same guy who broke my heart when I was fifteen--and could do it again.
They say if you’re fooled once, shame on them. The second time, it’s on you. The third time, it’s going to be me that runs… unless he can convince me to stay forevermore.
**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**
About Corinne Michaels
New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Corinne Michaels is the author of multiple romance novels. She’s an emotional, witty, sarcastic, and fun-loving mom of two beautiful children. Corinne is happily married to the man of her dreams and is a former Navy wife.
After spending months away from her husband while he was deployed, reading and writing was her escape from the loneliness. She enjoys putting her characters through intense heartbreak and finding a way to heal them through their struggles. Her stories are chock full of emotion, humor, and unrelenting love.
Also from Corinne Michaels
The Salvation Series
Beloved
Beholden
Consolation
Conviction
Defenseless
Evermore – 1001 Dark Nights Novella
Indefinite (Coming 2019)
Return to Me Series
Say You’ll Stay
Say You Want Me
Say I’m Yours
Say You Won’t Let Go: A Return to Me/Masters and Mercenaries Novella
Standalone Novels
We Own Tonight
One Last Time
Not Until You
If I Only Knew
Co-written Novels with Melanie Harlow
Hold You Close
Acknowledgments from the Author
If you endure any time with me during this process, you deserve so much more than a thank you that’s back here. For real, I’m a little crazy and you know this, but...here it is.
To my husband and children. I don’t know how you deal with me, but I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you. I love you all with my whole heart.
My beta readers, Katie & Melissa: Thank you so much for your support and love during this book. I love you guys and couldn’t imagine not having you.
My assistant, Christy Peckham: I would fire you, but you keep coming back so I’ll just say thank you.
My readers. There’s no way I can thank you enough. It still blows me away that you read my words. You guys are everything to me. Everything.
Bloggers: You’re the heart and soul of this industry. Thank you for choosing to read my books and fit me into your insane schedules. I appreciate it more than you know.
Melanie Harlow, thank you for being the good witch in our duo or Ethel to my Lucy. Really you’re the good witch and I’m the bad, but your friendship means the world to me and I love writing with you (especially when you let me kill characters).
Bait, Stabby, and Corinne Michaels Books – I love you more than you’ll ever know.
My agent, Kimberly Brower, I am so happy to have you on my team. Thank you for your guidance and support.
Melissa Erickson, you’re amazing. I love your face.
Vi, Claire, Mandi, Amy, Kristy, Penelope, Kyla, Rachel, Tijan, Alessandra, Syreeta, Meghan, Laurelin, Kristen, Kennedy, Ava, and Natasha—Thank you for keeping me striving to be better and loving me unconditionally.
Dedication
To the readers who have loved and nurtured this series. Thank you for always being my salvation!
Discover 1001 Dark Nights
Click here to explore
COLLECTION ONE
FOREVER WICKED by Shayla Black
CRIMSON TWILIGHT by Heather Graham
CAPTURED IN SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
SILENT BITE: A SCANGUARDS WEDDING by Tina Folsom
DUNGEON GAMES by Lexi Blake
AZAGOTH by Larissa Ione
NEED YOU NOW by Lisa Renee Jones
SHOW ME, BABY by Cherise Sinclair
ROPED IN by Lorelei James
TEMPTED BY MIDNIGHT by Lara Adrian
THE FLAME by Christopher Rice
CARESS OF DARKNESS by Julie Kenner
COLLECTION TWO
WICKED WOLF by Carrie Ann Ryan
WHEN IRISH EYES ARE HAUNTING by Heather Graham
EASY WITH YOU by Kristen Proby
MASTER OF FREEDOM by Cherise Sinclair
CARESS OF PLEASURE by Julie Kenner
ADORED by Lexi Blake
HADES by Larissa Ione
RAVAGED by Elisabeth Naughton
DREAM OF YOU by Jennifer L. Armentrout
STRIPPED DOWN by Lorelei James
RAGE/KILLIAN by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright
DRAGON KING by Donna Grant
PURE WICKED by Shayla Black
HARD AS STEEL by Laura Kaye
STROKE OF MIDNIGHT by Lara Adrian
ALL HALLOWS EVE by Heather Graham
KISS THE FLAME by Christopher Rice
DARING HER LOVE by Melissa Foster
TEASED by Rebecca Zanetti
THE PROMISE OF SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
COLLECTION THREE
HIDDEN INK by Carrie Ann Ryan
BLOOD ON THE BAYOU by Heather Graham
SEARCHING FOR MINE by Jennifer Probst
DANCE OF DESIRE by Christopher Rice
ROUGH RHYTHM by Tessa Bailey
DEVOTED by Lexi Blake
Z by Larissa Ione
FALLING UNDER YOU by Laurelin Paige
EASY FOR KEEPS by Kristen Proby
UNCHAINED by Elisabeth Naughton
HARD TO SERVE by Laura Kaye
DRAGON FEVER by Donna Grant
KAYDEN/SIMON by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright
STRUNG UP by Lorelei James
MIDNIGHT UNTAMED by Lara Adrian
TRICKED by Rebecca Zanetti
DIRTY WICKED by Shayla Black
THE ONLY ONE by Lauren Blakely
SWEET SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
COLLECTION FOUR
ROCK CHICK REAWAKENING by Kristen Ashley
ADORING INK by Carrie Ann Ryan
SWEET RIVALRY by K. Bromberg
SHADE'S LADY by Joanna Wylde
RAZR by Larissa Ione
ARRANGED by Lexi Blake
TANGLED by Rebecca Zanetti
HOLD ME by J. Kenner
SOMEHOW, SOME WAY by Jennifer Probst
TOO CLOSE TO CALL by Tessa Bailey
HUNTED by Elisabeth Naughton
EYES ON YOU by Laura Kaye
BLADE by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright
DRAGON BURN by Donna Grant
TRIPPED OUT by Lorelei James
STUD FINDER by Lauren Blakely
MIDNIGHT UNLEASHED by Lara Adrian
HALLOW BE THE HAUNT by Heather Graham
PRINCE ROMAN by CD Reiss
DIRTY FILTHY FIX by Laurelin Paige
NO RESERVATIONS by Kristen Proby
DAWN OF SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
COLLECTION FIVE
BLAZE ERUPTING by Rebecca Zanetti
ROUGH RIDE by Kristen Ashley
HAWKYN by Larissa Ione
RIDE DIRTY by Laura Kaye
ROME’S CHANCE by Joanna Wylde
THE MARRIAGE ARRANGEMENT by Jennifer Probst
SURRENDER by Elisabeth Naughton
INKED NIGHTS by Carrie Ann Ryan
ENVY by Rachel Van Dyken
PROTECTED by Lexi Blake
THE PRINCE by Jennifer L. Armentrout
PLEASE ME by J. Kenner
WOUND TIGHT by Lorelei James
STRONG by Kylie Scott
DRAGON NIGHT by Donna Grant
TEMPTING BROOKE by Kristen Proby
HAUNTED BE THE HOLIDAYS by Heather Graham
CONTROL by K. Bromberg
HUNKY HEARTBREAKER by Kendall Ryan
THE DARKEST CAPTIVE by Gena Showalter
Also from 1001 Dark Nights:
TAME ME by J. Kenner
THE SURRENDER GATE By Christopher Rice
SERVICING THE TARGET By Cherise Sinclair
TEMPT ME by J. Kenner
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Table of Contents
Book Description
About Corinne Michaels
Also from Corinne Michaels
Acknowledgments from the Author
Dedication
Discover 1001 Dark Nights
Foreword
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Epilogue
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Six
Discover the World of 1001 Dark Nights
Discover More Corinne Michaels
An excerpt from Beloved by Corinne Michaels
Special Thanks
One Thousand and One Dark Nights
Once upon a time, in the future…
I was a student fascinated with stories and learning.
I studied philosophy, poetry, history, the occult, and
library at my father’s home and collected thousands
of volumes of fantastic tales.
I learned all about ancient races and bygone
times. About myths and legends and dreams of all
people through the millennium. And the more I read
the stronger my imagination grew until I discovered
that I was able to travel into the stories... to actually
become part of them.
I wish I could say that I listened to my teacher
and respected my gift, as I ought to have. If I had, I
would not be telling you this tale now.
But I was foolhardy and confused, showing off
with bravery.
One afternoon, curious about the myth of the
Arabian Nights, I traveled back to ancient Persia to
see for myself if it was true that every day Shahryar
(Persian: شهريار, “king”) married a new virgin, and then
sent yesterday's wife to be beheaded. It was written
and I had read, that by the time he met Scheherazade,
the vizier's daughter, he’d killed one thousand
women.
Something went wrong with my efforts. I arrived
in the midst of the story and somehow exchanged
places with Scheherazade – a phenomena that had
never occurred before and that still to this day, I
cannot explain.
Now I am trapped in that ancient past. I have
taken on Scheherazade’s life and the only way I can
protect myself and stay alive is to do what she did to
protect herself and stay alive.
Every night the King calls for me and listens as I spin tales.
And when the evening ends and dawn breaks, I stop at a
point that leaves him breathless and yearning for more.
And so the King spares my life for one more day, so that
he might hear the rest of my dark tale.
As soon as I finish a story... I begin a new
one... like the one that you, dear reader, have before
you now.
Chapter One
Gretchen
“What do you mean you’re not coming?” I scream into the receiver at my what-should-be husband.
“I can’t marry you,” Harold tells me.
My eyes fill with angry tears. “You decided this now?” I shriek.
It’s my wedding day.
Well, it was supposed to be. Harold—which is the worst name in existence when you’re in the throes of passion—apparently has decided it won’t be.
An hour late, I might add. I’m here, at the church, in my nine-thousand-dollar wedding dress that I saved for. Without a groom.
I’m going to kill him.
My voice drops eerily soft. “Whatever the hell the issue is, we can deal with it tomorrow, Harold. You can’t do this to me. You get your ass to this church and you marry me.”
He sighs. “I can’t do it. I can’t, Gretchen. I had an epiphany last night.”
An epiphany? How rich. “Was it that you’re a dickhead who was going to destroy the woman who stood by you the last seven-fucking-years?”
“I’m saving you.”
Now I’ve heard it all. “Saving me, my ass!” I scream. “You will not do this to me. You won’t make me a jilted bride! I won’t let you.” My two best friends, Catherine and Ashton, share a look as they stand in their rose gold colored bridesmaids dresses.
Harold goes silent and then I hear someone in the back. “It’s for the better. We never should’ve done this. You’re my associate at the firm and if we do this, it will destroy both of our careers.”
A tear falls down. I’m so angry. I’m so betrayed by him. Seven years we’ve been sneaking around. I was his “Secret Slut” as I called myself. At first it was exciting. The sneaking around, late-night office romps, the little touches we’d share knowing that later we wouldn’t have to slow down.
Then it became impossible. I wanted to go to him when a case went bad, but I couldn’t because h
e was my boss. Gossip in the office became much more than harmless chatter, so we pulled back even more.
Finally, two months ago, he’d had enough of me complaining and threatening to end things. He proposed and said he wanted to marry me immediately. That if we were married, I could take equal part in the firm and finally stop having to hide our relationship.
My chest rises and falls because now, there’s no going back. People know. People are here to witness this, and now I’ll be the “left-at-the-alter lawyer.”
Fuck him.
“This is only better for you.” My voice is loud, as I no longer have any control. “You are the only person this benefits, you tiny-dick bastard! You were supposed to marry me! You were supposed to finally take me out of the damn hole you threw me in when you slept with me seven years ago.”
“Gretch?” Catherine asks softly and I glare at her. The three of us have been friends since grade school. She puts her hands in the air, knowing there’s no way I can even remotely stop now. I’m livid.
Ashton giggles. “This is so going to be good.”
“You suck as a lawyer!” I continue my tirade, deciding that it’s time to let him know what a favor I was doing him all these years. “You suck as a lover! I faked an orgasm at least half the time and I hope your balls shrivel up. Oh,” I huff. “One more thing, I quit and I hope you lose every damn case I was working on!”
I hang up the phone, throwing it across the room and shattering it into hundreds of pieces. Ashton gives a slow clap. “That...was impressive.”
“Oh my God.” I grip my throat. “Did I just quit my job?”
Catherine takes a step forward. “Yeah, babe.”
There’s a knock on the door and Jackson peeks his head in. “So, I tried to cover the yelling up with music, but...”